Saturday, 18 February 2012

From the dramatic opening scene in The Blighted Troth, Ms Patzer draws us into the early 18th century with the skill of a classic artist and keeps us there, hooked on history.

In 1702, beautiful Emilie Basseaux and Robert Lanzille, the miller, are in love and about to marry, but their selfish, egotistical overload, Seigneur Richard Tonnacour, decides otherwise. Fearing the lord will kill Robert and seize Emilie for himself, the lovers are forced to leave their cosy community of Pointe-du-Lac, New France, to take refuge in monasteries in Quebec. Here, they are meant to wait for help to arrive from a trusted bishop.

However, powerful people in the landed gentry and the Church ensure this sanctuary and help are denied them. The lovers are separated, both to face their own dangerous future while seeking the means to be reunited.In this age of power and intrigue, it is not surprising that, by their trust and innocence, Emilie and Robert exacerbate their plight.

Historically, we experience the early 1700s; its agricultural life dominated by the nobility and influenced by the Church. We are swept up in the riots brought on by famine, and suffer the horrors of the plague with its victims in homes, in the streets and in the hospitals.

Ms Patzer’s knowledge of the setting and her well-researched era enrich the story. She takes us into taverns, monasteries, manor houses and ordinary homes and compels us to explore the themes of Cowardice and Honour; Trust and Betrayal; Faith, Love and Loss, at all levels of society.

Characters the innocent lovers encounter are, like themselves, tainted by circumstance: some tragic, some sinful, some wicked but all in need of love and forgiveness. Issues they face still have relevance today.

The quote in the front of the book, by Charlotte Bronte, begins “Forgiveness is the mightiest sword…” The Blighted Troth made me question this. Should there be degrees of forgiveness, or is Forgiveness the essence of itself? When you read this beautifully written literary novel, you can be the judge.

Carole Sutton won Debi Wilder's short story Gabby's Second Chance, Book 2

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

Pat McDermott won Kristin Battestella's short story Resurrection! Book Seven

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

Gail Branan won Wendy Laharnar's short story for Middle Graders Billy the Bonsai Bull

Cover Designer Kaytalin Platt

Wendy Laharnar won Elle Druskins novel Gone to the Dogs

Cover Designer Delilah Stephans

Thank you to everyone who participated in the party. You made our day so special.
Thank you Elle, Shellie, Debi and Kristin for your generous gifts.

I must add here, I thought it was understood I was not eligible for a prize, being one of the hosts at our party. However, since I lectured someone else a few months ago about how it hurts a genuine giver when one 'humbly declines' their lovely gesture, I'm standing by my own advice. Like the other winners I'm very touched and delighted. My prize looks like a great read, so, 'Thank You' Elle.

Friday, 3 February 2012

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MUSEITUP AUTHORS WHO HAVE BOOKS RELEASED TODAY, FEBRUARY 3rd 2012

﻿﻿ CONGRATULATIONS ELLE DRUSKIN
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Cover Designer: Delilah Stephans

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GOING TO THE DOGS

A Contemporary Romance Novel

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Sam Kendall is a cop with a mission; find the killer who murdered his partner and track down the diamond thieves behind the killing. Chief suspect Jodie McBride is a brilliant dog trainer but a loser with men. Dog-hating Sam is stuck with a junk food addicted poodle as his new partner and stuck on a cute redheaded dog lover that he desperately wants to be innocent. Mix in an assortment of eccentric pooches, their offbeat owners, baseball fans and two very smart canines who know humans can’t be trusted to know a good thing when they see it. Before Sam and Jodie know what's happened, everybody is going to the dogs.

BLURB:
The King’s castle stands alone atop Grand Ur Mountain, but even that does not match the solitude surrounding Princess Ally. With a carrot-shaped nose, she trudges through her princess duties with the most unfortunate face. With her pet greybar (a creature with the head of a greyhound, body of a polar bear, and wings of an eagle) as her only friend, Ali dreams of becoming a beautiful princess.

When Cory, a ninja-in-training, drops through the royal chimney, he does not intend to enlist the help of anyone, much less a girl, but she holds the key to the Creator’s map. The ancient map marks the secret hiding place of the magic Wishing Ring, a ring grants the wearer one wish.

Cory’s mysterious need for the ring and Ali’s dream of a beauty send the pair to a forgotten land. Only the war ravaged clan of Odana can translate the map’s key. But even if they manage to find a translator, the question remains—can they beat the Ogre who guards the ring?

Gabby Adams did the unthinkable – she put her unborn child in harms way and lost. While Ryan Peterson was fleeing the thugs he owed money to for horse betting, Gabby placed herself physically between the man she loved and the men who wanted to harm him. Gabby feels she’s undeserving to give her love to anyone, physically or emotionally. With ghosts laid to rest and Lacey’s help, will Gabby find love in the arms of another man?

In Professor James’ final tale, former Lilithan vampire and newly divorced scientist Stephanie just can’t get over how much she misses being a vampire. After a harrowing car accident during a frightful storm, Stephanie meets Mestiphles, the giver and taker of vampire power on both sides of the coven wars. His charm and seductive powers sweeten the demonic offer he extends, but will Stephanie accept Mestiphles’ dark opportunities?

is a short chapter book for Middle Graders, about an orphan calf's struggle to survive through grief, rejection and bullying.

BLURB

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This is an Australian true story told from the little bull's point of view.

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Billy is a stubborn, orphaned calf who is losing the battle to survive. Hope revives in an unexpected way, through the milk bottle he detests, and brings him a sense of belonging. However, it takes more than a place in the pecking order for this little white bull to thrive. It takes a miracle.

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In frustration, the farmer's wife declares, "The trouble is, he knows he's a cow."

Preditors & Editors Top Ten Readers'Award 2011

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Calamity's Corner is a free once-a-month emailed e-zine for readers, writers, movie buff, travellers and everyone. Full of interesting articles and comments on books, movies, holidays and leisure puruits. Contributors add their websites and reach readers in 31 different countries -- so far. I'd love to add you to the list.

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Favourite Quotes

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Michelangelo Buonarrotti 1475-1564

Favourite writing exercises to overcome writer's block in 15 minutes.

Take a picture and write about it for 15 minutes without allowing your pen to lift off the page,

Describe your hand

In 2 paragraphs make your protagonist act out of character.

Turn off the monitor and free write for 15 minutes without stopping. Don't turn on the screen until time is up.

Find at least 3 figures in the clouds. Show how each figure has an emotional impact on your character. e.g a ferocious animal, a wizened face, a melting clock

Type for 15 minutes then delete. Topic: Who am I - honestly?

Get a group of friends to fire questions about your story, or a specific character, so that you have to answer them off the top of your head. You will think so fast to explain (or defend) you'll even make up information that hasn't happened yet. The result makes your story clearer to you, and you will be surprised how relevant some of the new input is.